Berto-Ortiz, Take 2

“I know Berto has been putting in the work and back in 2011 we did a fight of the year and it was one hell of a fight, back and forth. I got a victory that night and he didn’t arrive fully I didn’t arrive fully so we’re both present 100% this coming Saturday. So quien es mas macho?!!”

Ortiz, (31-5-2, 24KO) will face Andre Berto in a rematch of their 2011 Fight of the Year candidate in an event televised by Premier Boxing Champions live from the Stub Hub Center in Carson, California. Ortiz, a 3 to 1 underdog heading into the first fight, lifted the WBC welterweight title from Berto in a knockdown trading slugfest that leads most to believe this weekend’s fight will also provide ample action.

Photo: Ryan Greene / Premier Boxing Champions

The Ortiz rematch will represent for Berto his first bout since his one-sided decision loss to Floyd Mayweather in September 2015. Berto, (30-4, 23 KO) is anxious and ready to get back into the ring on Saturday.

“I’m in incredible shape. I’m staying focused for this one. I don’t like to speak too much on the past situation but there’s a lot of different things that went on in that camp and of course if you’re young you’re dealing with a lot and you kind of take a lot of stuff for granted.”

When asked if the rematch will be similar to their first fight, Ortiz was confident that the two will be trading blows adamantly once again.

“Oh absolutely, Berto’s one hell of a fighter and I know that. I don’t take that for granted and I’ve prepared for 12 hard rounds like the first time. So the result’s banging it up.”

Photo: Ryan Greene / Premier Boxing Champions

FIGHTER PREDICTIONS:

Ortiz: “Oh yes I’ll be holding my hands in glory in the end once again.”

Berto: “Yes. I come for the win that’s it. He can try. He can definitely try.”

Supporting bouts include a co-feature pitting Edwin Rodriguez and Thomas Williams Jr. in a super middleweight contest, and a crossroads bout between former flyweight and bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel and Jorge Lara, as well as a crossroads heavyweight feature match between Los Angeles native Gerald Washington and Eddie Chambers.